UC Davis workshop helps agribusinesses succeed

University of California, Davis
February 6, 2013

Agricultural business leaders face interesting choices in today’s global economy. What’s the best way to manage changing regulations? How can I capitalize on consumer trends?

To help decision-makers sort through those questions and many more, the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is hosting an Agribusiness Workshop, March 11–12 at UC Davis.

“It’s a very valuable opportunity,” said John Harris, owner and operator of Harris Ranch, California’s largest beef producer and one of the nation’s largest family-owned, vertically integrated agribusinesses. “It gets you thinking critically about important issues and lets you interact with peers.”

The workshop is designed for executives and middle managers in enterprises large and small, in California and beyond. As with past UC Davis agribusiness workshops, discussions will feature real-world case studies, analyzing companies’ strategic decisions.

“Those case studies are always interesting,” Harris said from his ranch outside Fresno. “There’s a lot of interaction and you hear different perspectives and approaches. I’ve been going to UC Davis agribusiness seminars for over 25 years and it’s time well spent.”

The workshop will be led by Professor Dan Sumner, the Frank H. Buck, Jr. Endowed Chair in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and director of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. Case studies will feature executives from Sun-Maid, Prather Ranch, Valley Farm Management Company and Paraiso Winery, Button & Turkovich LLC and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

The keynote speaker will be Karen Caplan, president and CEO of Frieda’s Inc., a leading specialty produce company, and a panel discussion will explore the implications of consumer regulations.You can find a full list of speakers and topics at https://agribusiness.ucdavis.edu/workshop

The cost is $1,500, with meals provided, and access to top leaders in the agribusiness industry. Sponsorships are available.

Along with the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the workshop is presented by the UC Davis Department of Agricultural Resource and Economics and the UC Agricultural Issues Center.

To register and for more information, contact Chris Akins at (530) 752-2120, crakins@ucdavis.edu